With rising incidents of sexual abuse and child molestation within primary and secondary schools, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, has set up a teachers’ investigative panel and tribunal across Nigeria’s 36 states.

In curbing and bringing to an end all pedophile activities within the sector, it has also unveiled a hotline where such cases can be reported for prompt action.

According to the council, the response from teachers and schools on the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive, while noting that schools and centres of learning must be safe for learners.

The Executive Secretary of TRCN, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during an interface with the press on her achievements thus far in the last nine months after assumption of office, said the council will continue to make significant strides in enhancing teacher professionalism and safety in Nigeria’s schools.

Soyombo revealed the council has also launched a compliance department to vet teachers for criminal records, aiming to create a national database by mid-year.

According to her, “The council is making significant strides in enhancing teacher professionalism and safety in Nigeria’s schools. Our initiatives include inducting teachers, administering the Professional Qualifying Exam, and establishing a hotline for reporting abuse cases.

“It has transformed the mindset of our teachers. Our efforts were boosted by a high-profile teacher summit at the State House which was attended by dignitaries including the first lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.

“TRCN has also launched a compliance department to vet teachers for criminal records, aiming to create a national database by mid-year. If you’re a criminal with a sexual offence, you won’t work with children. The body has also set up a teachers investigative panel and tribunal across Nigeria’s 36 states”.

She added that so far, initiatives include inducting teachers, administering the Professional Qualifying Exam, and establishing a hotline for reporting abuse cases.

“So far, the impact is clear. A teacher recently won a prize of 50 million naira, a house, and a car, sparking healthy competition among educators. With development partners backing TRCN, the focus is on sustained progress in raising teaching standards and protecting students. More updates as the initiatives roll out” she said. (Arise News)